After receiving notice from World Renew that they were needed in the Philippines to assist a local partner in responding to Typhoon Haiyan, Harry and Greta Harsevoort quickly agreed to take on the assignment. They will leave their Hamilton, Ontario home for the Philippines on Monday, December 2nd. They are the third set of International Relief Managers (IRMs) to be assisting World Renew’s local partner, the Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines (CRCP), in responding to the needs of Typhoon Haiyan survivors and will be placed on the island of Panay.
Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines on the morning of November 8th, 2013 as a category 5 storm. It first struck Guiuan, in Samar province. Tremendous rainfall and massive storm surges up to six metres high then struck Leyte and Samar islands. Many cities and towns experienced widespread destruction, with as much as 90 percent of housing destroyed in some areas. Roads were blocked, airports and seaports were impaired and heavy ships were thrown inland. The storm is possibly the most powerful storm ever recorded.
World Renew and CRCP responded quickly and are continuing to respond on three of the islands hardest hit by the Typhoon. Currently 4,000 families (1,000 in Panay, 1,000 in Samar and 2,000 in Leyte islands) are receiving food assistance and temporary shelter and hygiene items.
The International Relief Managers play a key role in this response. Last week, Harry and Annie Bergshoeff (from Mississauga, Ontario) travelled to the Philippines to coordinate the efforts on Leyte Island. This week, Bernie Schaaf (from Tinley Park, Illinois) joined them to manage the projects on Samar Island. When they arrive, Harry and Greta will focus on the outreach happening on Panay Island.
Similar to the other IRMs, Harry and Greta will work with local staff to find office space, hire key personnel, conduct baseline surveys, and manage the distribution of food packages, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets and sleeping mats. They will also help transition the work into longer-term initiatives such as cash-for-work community clean-up activities, trauma counseling for adults and children, and the provision of temporary and transitional shelter.
The Harsevoorts have previous experience as IRMs with World Renew. In 2011, they served in Mozambique, where they worked closely with communities to rehabilitate boreholes and restore access to drinking water. Greta has also served in Kenya and Uganda managing Food Assistance projects.
When asked to express how they feel about this assignment, Greta and Harry explained, “The needs of the typhoon survivors are great and we feel privileged to be part of the World Renew team reaching out and responding to their needs. Please pray for our safety and health as well as wisdom as we will be working with many challenges and uncertainties.”
World Renew is grateful for these International Relief Managers who will be assisting CRCP to expand its response in three of the islands hit hardest by Typhoon Haiyan.